Introduction & Background Group Support Forums Local Service Conferences 2014 World Service

Conference

The Service System Proposals

More information: www.na.org/servicesystem

2014 Conference Agenda Report

The

Service

System Proposals

This is the second of three videos covering the material in the 2014 Conference Agenda Report.

Please visit www.na.org/conference to download all three videos and access any other conference material.

Background: Underpinning Principles

Group support Planning Collective decision-making

Adaptable: Field testing is offering shared experiences so communities can adapt to fit local needs.

Background: Project Origins

Grew from the need to address struggles NA service bodies have reported, like:

Too few trusted servantsPoor atmosphere of recovery at service

meetingsDuplication of effortsPoor communication…

Background: Where to start?

Our Traditions & Concepts

A shared vision A Vision for NA

Service approved by 2010 WSC

Background: Our Primary Purpose

Everything that occursin the course of NA service

must be motivated by the desireto more successfully carry

the NA message to theaddict who still suffers.

Basic Text

Background: Our Primary Purpose

Our Fifth Tradition:to support the groups in achieving their

primary purpose

Proposed:A forum to support the groups

Group Support Forums (GSFs)

GSFs: Group-focused

Discuss group problems & successes The service equivalent of one addict

helping another Share introductory or basic information

about NA How the NA service system works

GSFs: Group-focused

GSFs might be a place for

Literature distributionWorkshops and training sessionsPlanning neighborhood-based activitiesWhatever will help the needs of the

groups

GSFs: Participants

All interested members attend (not just GSRs)

GSFs are discussion-based gatherings Newer members can learn about NA Veteran members can

share experience withand mentor newer members

Size of GSFs

May be neighborhood-sized

Less distance to travelEasier to keep discussion informal

Field testing: some communities prefer a group-focused gathering that includes all groups

Better communication across the whole community

Could achieve this by simply changing the focus of area service committee meetings.

GSFs: Representation & Delegation

Some group support forums have a delegate who attends & reports on the groups at the local service conference.

GSRs can attend the local service conference or delegate that responsibility to the GSF delegate

Flexibility is one of the foundational principles of the proposals.

Local Service Conferences (LSCs)

Groupfocuse

d

Flexible

CollaborativePurposedriven

Geographically based

Local Service Conferences (LSCs)According to the proposals: Quarterly, plan-driven meetings Attended by

All GSRs and/or GSF delegates Trusted servants of the LSC All interested members

The annual assembly Attended by all interested local members Prioritize service for the year ahead Ensures that the groups set the direction of

services Communication, oversight, and selection

of leaders

LSCs: Delegation & Responsibility

Strategic direction and oversight Administrative decisions & details

delegated to the local service board (LSB)

Third Concept delegationSecond Concept responsibility and authority

How often do they meet?

Proposals suggest quarterly LSCs, monthly LSBs

Some prefer having all GSRs meet together more frequently

Local service conference meeting preferences are flexible, adaptable by each community

Decision-making

Decision-making is consensus-based where practical

Chart: CBDM Basics, available at www.na.org/servicesystem

Local Service Boards (LSBs)

Does the day-to-day work to accomplish the goals and realize vision of the local service conference

Administers the work prioritized by the local service conference annual planning assembly

The local service conference participants are the architects;the local service board members are the builders and contractors

LSBs: Accountability

Reports to and is overseen by the local service conference

Creates plans and a budget, which are approved the local service committee

Service may be accomplished by workgroups led by coordinators or committees

LSC decides based on board’s recommendations

Form follows function

A purpose-driven system

The service system proposals suggest:

Group issues handled at group support forum

Strategic decisions & general oversight handled at local service conference

Day-to-day administration handled by localservice board

Geographic boundaries

US: county, town, or city In order to:

Avoid duplication of servicesEnsure all parts of a state or nation

are covered by a service bodyMake NA more visible and enhance

PR efforts

Communication&Collaboration

Unifying with neighboring areas can be daunting

Most crucial is better communication & collaboration with our neighbors & possible unification in the future

Open communication with neighboring service bodies & bring trusted servants together

Consider sharing services between neighboring service bodies

Evolution, not revolution

Change is difficult. Take it

We must rea l izethat we are not

perfect .There wi l l

a lwaysbe room for

growth. Basic Text

slow.

Conference Agenda Report Conference Approval Track

materials

2014 World Service Conference

2014 World Service Conference

Decisions: Whether to agree in principle to move

forward with group support forums, local service conferences, and local service boards

Presented as motions in the Conference Agenda Report

Motion 4: Group Support Forums

Motion 4: To agree in principle to move in the direction of a service system that contains group support forums: discussion oriented gatherings focused on the needs of the group, as described by the characteristics below.

Discussion-oriented Group-focused Training-oriented Open to all Neighborhood-sized (recommended) Meets monthly (recommended)

Optional

Pause

for

Discussion

Motion 5: Local Service Conferences

Motion 5: To agree in principle to move in the direction of a service system that contains local service conferences, strategic service oriented planning conferences as described by the characteristics below.

Plan-driven Form follows function Strategic Consensus-based Meets quarterly (recommended) Defined by county, city, or town boundaries

(recommended)

Optional

Pause

for

Discussion

Motion 6: Local Service Boards

Motion 6: To agree in principle to move in the direction of a service system that contains local service boards, a body overseen by the local service conference that administers the work prioritized by the LSC, as described in the characteristics below.

Responsible to the local service conference Carries out the LSC’s priorities Meets monthly (recommended) Consist of administrative body and service

coordinators (recommended)

Optional

Pause

for

Discussion

Normally these ideas wouldn’t be in the form of a motion until there is written material to adopt, but these motions are offered in the spirit of unity.

These motions are not a mandate. World Services has no ability to mandate or enforce how services are delivered locally, nor do we desire such ability.

World Services’ purpose is “communication, coordination, information, and guidance.” It is in the service of that purpose that we have undertaken the work of the Service System Project.

Why these motions?

Conference Approval Track (CAT) Material

If the CAR motions are approved, WSC will vote on a transition plan (which will be included in the Conference Approval Track material)

(CAT)

Ongoing Service System Discussions

Ideas that are still being discussed, but will not be decided on at WSC 2014:

State-, province-, or nationwide service bodies

World Service Conference seatingThe role of zones

Questions Feedback Ideas Additional Information

worldboard@na.org servicesystem@na.or

g www.na.org/servicesy

stemDownload the

Conference Agenda Report:

www.na.org/conference

or order hard copies from NA World Services